[JPill]

Hi guys,

I just bought a W116 1976 450 SE from the original owner, Australian compliance. Always garaged and is visibly rust free (door seal area, boot lid area, rear windscreen frame, sunroof all appear good). However in heavy rain water collects in front passenger footwell and also under rear seat ( under actual seat which I removed) and also rear floor pan. The floor pans are free of rust ( I removed all the carpet and sound deadening), but there is a little bit just under the glovebox on the floor pan where the seam is.

The car has a factory sunroof.

Its a beautiful one owner car that i would love to keep for a long time, and it was treasured by the original owner.

Thanks,

John
Sydney, Australia.

 

[rumb]

Well your rust free is about to change. The areas you mention are notorious for rusting. The water in the footwells usually comes from the engine cowl areas in the corners by the hinges. The metal down there has 2-3 layers that the water gets into and rusts away. look in the front wheel well area with a good ice pick to see if rusted thru from the inside hinge corners.


Another area can be the windscreen frame under the rubber seal. Window will need to be removed to find the rust there.
Likewise the rear window can leak for the same reasons, additionally water can get in the rear lights if the seal is bad.

Roof drains can sometimes leak.

With all the front floor mats out run a water hose on the hinge corners and see where it comes out. same with other areas.

 

[ianrandom]

What a shame. Do check all the drains are clear before anything else.